opposiveadj.
/ˈɒpəzɪv/, U.S. /ˈɑpəzɪv/ rare in early use.
= opposite adj. (in various senses).
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > difficulty > opposition > [adjective] > inclined to oppose
opposive1676
oppositive1865
oppositious1923
nay-saying1924
1676 Acct. Lodowick Muggleton in Harl. Misc. (Malh.) I. 610 An obstinate, dissentious, and opposive spirit.
1883 Chambers's Information for People (new ed.) I. 259/1 The two kinds of electricity... then display so marked a contrariety, or mutually opposive force, that they may be viewed as agents having opposite qualities.
1911 W. De Morgan Likely Story 107 He had an opposive or lazy disposition.
1977 Business Week (Nexis) 17 Jan. 89 Bergsten and his prospective opposive number at State..share many liberal views.
2000 This is Lancashire (Nexis) 6 Nov. (Sport section) On the opposive flank Gardner proved yet again that he is a man you want in the trenches with you.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2004; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1676